One week after the start of All-Star balloting, Seattle fans are cramming the ballots with their favorite Sounders. Goalkeeper Kasey Keller is the overwhelming leader in fan voting for the 2009 MLS All-Star Game. The former U.S. national team goalkeeper has a league-best 0.41 goals against average and has four shutouts in eight appearances.

Right behind Keller, Seattle players Freddie Ljungberg, Fredy Montero, Osvaldo Alonso, Tyrone Marshall, Steve Zakuani and Jhon Kennedy Hurtado have accumulated the next highest totals in the first week of fan voting. After the first week of voting, the First XI consists of eight Sounders FC players. The only exceptions are veteran Columbus Crew fullback Frankie Hejduk, who holds a slim lead on Seattle's James Riley, Dwayne De Rosario, a Toronto FC midfielder, and Los Angeles Galaxy forward Landon Donovan.

Fans can vote for the All-Star First XI online by selecting one goalkeeper, three defenders, five midfielders and two forwards. Fans can vote up to 10 times per day. The online fan balloting program, which concludes on July 6, will comprise 25 percent of the total vote. Coaches and general managers, players, and media each hold 25 percent of the vote. Those selected will participate in the 14th annual MLS All-Star Game and take on Everton of the English Premier League at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah on July 29 at 9:30 p.m. ET.

 

 

Read the original story...